Elevated wig for forming an enlarged hairdo



L. M. HOUSTON Sept. 19, 1967 ELEVATED WIG FOR FORMING AN ENLARGED HAIRDO Filed June 4, 1964 &a if? United States Patent cc Patented Sept. 19, 1967 FIGURE 3 is a cross section view of the wig of FIG- ,189 URES l and 2. ELEVATED WIG FOR FORMING AN Referring to the drawings in more detail, the present ffi figgfig i i'z gggg invention is especially adapted to be employed in a wig Glel'ldale califl 91205 5 for use in assisting a woman in the preparation of a Filed June 4, 1964, Ser. No. 372,562 halrdo or couture 12. The wig 10 is normally employed 2 31 m 1, 13z 53) by a woman having a sufiiciently large volume of natural hair 14 to permit her to arrange the natural hair into a The present invention relates to means for facilitating h i d i bl for every day wear h i 10 i i the Preparation of hairdos and more particularly to a 10 larly useful for women who do not have an adequate sup- Wig for being combined with a persons natural hair to l of h i to produce a highly styled or bulky coiflfure. assist in the creation of a hairdo or coiifure. However, it is also useful for women who do have an At the present time, it is fashionable for women to adequate volume of hair for producing bulky coifiures: arrange their hair into bulky coiffures with a major Although any type of coilfure may be created, in the portion of the hair arranged on top of the head so as to 15 present instance for illustrative purposes, the coiifure 12 extend a considerable distance above the actual top of is shown as being of a type which extends a considerable the womans head. Due to the complex nature of such distance above the womans head 16 and has a very bulky coiffures, it has frequently been necessary to employ th or large appearance. A coifi'ure 12 of this type normally assistance of an additional person and/ or to spend a conincludes a center portion 18 having a substantial volume siderable amount of time arranging the hair in the re- 20 of hair that extends a considerable distance above the quired manner. 'In addition, such coiffures normally eInwomans head 16. ploy a considerably greater volume of hair than the aver- In addition to the vertically extending center portion 18, age woman possesses. In order to overcome the latter the coiifure 12 includes a peripheral portion 20. The pedifiiculty, it has been customary to work additional bats ripheral portion 20 is formed primarily around the botof hair into the natural hair in an effort to create a tom of the center portion 18. The peripheral portion 20 coiifure of the desired size or bulk. may be blended into the center portion 18 so as to form Highly fashionable hairdos of the foregoing variety a single or monolithic arrangement of hair. However, as are suitable for special limited occasions and are not genwill become apparent, the hair may be arranged to proerally suitable for normal or every day functions. As a vide a demarcation between the center portion 18 and the consequence, heretofore, many women that would have peripheral portion 20 whereby the two portions 18 and preferred to wear their hair in a special coifiure for par- 20 will be conspicuously different. For example, the two ticular occasions have failed to do so because of the portions 18 and 20 may be of diiferent textures and/or difiiculty and expense in creating the coiifure and of the colors. limited usefulness thereof. Although the Wig 10 may be constructed in a wide va- The present invention overcomes the foregoing difiiriety of manners, in the present instance, it concludes a culties and permits a wider choice of coiifures that may support structure 21 that is effective to carry the other be employed on limited or special occasions. More parportions of the wig 10. The support structure 21 is prefticularly, the present invention provides means that pererably rigid or at least semi-rigid whereby the entire wig mit a woman to prepare a hairdo or eoiffu of an (1 4O 10 will have a substantially permanent predetermined sired variety with a minim-um amount of time and effort shape. The support structure 21 may be fabricated from and at a minimum expense, The present i enti l any suitable material but it has been found desirable to permits a woman to wear her hair in any desired coiffure p y a mesh material that can he aalsily formed into even though the woman does not possess an adequate voly desired shape but Still has Suthcient strength to he ume of natural hair for such a coiffure. relatively rigid and self-supporting. By way of example, The present invention accomplishes this by providing the pp Structure 21 y be fabricated from a mesh a wig having a light Weight support that is adapted to be of huckrntn, y J mounted on a small portion of the head such as in the The Support Structure 21 includes a ase 22 and a region of the crown. A volume of hair is mounted on the Vertical pp Core The base 22 Preferably has support in an essentially permanent configuration that a relatively Small Size Compared to the area of the Scalp forms a central part of the desired hairdo. In order to actllnhy Covered With the natural hair Nornlahy, the prepare a coiifure, a wig is selected that has the hair base 22 y he y Suthcientty large to Cover a y arranged thereon so as to correspond to the central porlimited area On the p of the head a region that is tion of a desired coiffure. The wig is then placed on the immedidtely adjacent to the crown the d 15- womans head and fastened in position with the support Attcl' the base 22 is Cut to the Correct Size to j disposed ver the region of the crown The womans acover the desired area 0f the head 16, the base 22 i8 tural hair is then arranged around the wig so as to form formed 80 as to have a Shape that is substantiahy idena e i he l portion f th h i d th t Complements h tical to the contour of the head 16 in. this area. It will t al portion f d by h i to h b complete thus be seen that the base 22 will form a rigid or semih d i d h i d or nf rigid structure that will act as a skull cap or a coif that These and other features and advantages of the pres- 3 fits on p of the head since t e base 22 S ent invention will become readily apparent from the closely fits the contour of the head it y he readily following detailed description of a single embodiment of secured theretothe present invention, particularly when taken in con- In addition to the base 22, the Structure 21 y nection with the accompanying drawings wherein like elude a Support The pp 38 P j upwardly reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein: from the base 22 a Substantial distance- As will become FIGURE 1 is a view of a woman and a wig about to pp subsequently, the Size and Shape Of the pp be mounted on the womans head for preparing a hairdo 38 is determined Primarily y the WP and Size of the or coiffure; desired coifiure 12. However, normally the support 38 FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE 1, b t h may have a somewhat conical shape similar to that ing the woman having a completed coilfure employing the Wig of FIGURE 1; and

shown in FIGURE 3. The support 38 may be fabricated in any desired manner and may be made of any desired material. For example, a mandrel or form may be provided so that a mesh of a material such as buckram, rice nette, nylon, etc. may be formed thereover. The base 22 and support 38 are effective to provide a strong structure 21 that is very light and comfortable to wear.

The edges 40 of the base 22 and/or the support 38 may be provided with one or more tabs 42. The tabs 42' extend beyond the edges 40 on the opposite sides thereof. When the base 22 is properly positioned on the wearers head 16, the tabs 42' will extend over the natural hair 14 and toward the wearers, ears. These tabs 42 will facilitate securing the support structure 21 in position by means of hair pins, etc. In addition, one or more tie strings 32 may be provided. These strings 32 may be tied to pins or combs embedded in the natural hair 14 so as to maintain the structure 21 properly positioned. A strip 43 of material such as grosgrain ribbon may be secured to the edges so as to provide a smooth, snag-free surface and to facilitate securing the support 38 to the base 22.

After the base 22 and support 38 are properly formed to give the structure 2.1 the desired shape and strength, the structure 21 may be treated such as by spraying with laquer to permanently increase the rigidity thereof. Although the structure 21 has a sufficient amount of strength to retain its shape, it is preferably sufficiently resilient to allow some distortion from its free state. This is particularly true of the base 22 whereby the base 22 may be made to conform to the shape of the head 16 in the exact position selected. v

The wig 10 also includes a large volume of hair 24 that is mounted on the base 22. Any suitable type of hair 24 may be employed. For example, it may be natural human hair. In addition, it may be a simulated hair that is produced from a material such as a synthetic fiber. By way of example, it has. been found that spun fiberglass or the relatively rigid simulated hair commonly employed in the manufacture of wigs for use on mannequins is well suited for this purpose. It is desirable for the hair 24 to be relatively rigid and/or to have a permanent predetermined shape. This will be effective to insure the hair 24 always remaining in a fixed position once it has been properly arranged.

The hair 2.4 is secured in position on the base 22 and the support 38. The simulated hair 24 is arranged into a configuration that completely covers and conceals the support 38 and the base 22. This hair 24 is also arranged into a configuration that corresponds to the center portion 13 of the desired hairdo or coiffure 12.

The arrangement of the hair 24 is preferably self-supporting particularly when it is disposed around the support 38. It is contemplated that once the hair 24 has been properly arranged, it will not be materially rearranged. Accordingly, the hair 24 that is employed in preparing the arrangement may be semi-rigid or else it may be treated as by spraying with a stiffener, either prior to or after the formation of the arrangement to have sufficient rigidity to make the arrangement or configuration 26 of the hair 24 a self-supporting structure which will maintain its shape indefinitely.

It may thus be seen that the wig 10 will form an essentially rigid or semi-rigid structure which will maintain its shape and general arrangement of the hair 24 at all times. As a result, the shape of hair will always correspond to the central portion of the coiifure 12 it is desired to create.

.To employ the present wig 10 to assist in the creation of a particular hairdo or coifiFure 12, normally the first step is to arrange the womans. natural hair in a pattern somewhat similar to that shown in FIGURE 1. More particularly, in this step, the hair 14 may be brushed or combed away from the top of the head and particularly in the vicinity of the crown where the base 22 is to be placed. When this operation is completed, the hair 14 will be arranged so as to provide an area on the top of the head 16 in the region of the crown Where there is a minimum amount of hair disposed over the scalp. The size of this area will be at least as large as the size of the base 22 and will be located at the point where the wig 10 is to be placed.

After the hair 14 has been arranged in the foregoing manner, the wig 10 is placed on the head 16. This is accomplished by placing the base 22 on top of the head 16 and over the region from which the natural hair 14 has been brushed. Since the base 22 has previously given a rigid or semi-rigid configuration corresponding to the contour of the head 16, the base 22 will be disposed in intimate and close lying contact with the head 16.

After the wig 10 has been properly positioned, the base 22 is secured in position on the head 16 by any suitable means. By way of example, one or more combs 30 may be embedded or anchored into the natural hair 14 and the strings or elastic member 32 tied thereto. At the same time or as an alternative, a plurality of hair pins or similar devices may be passed through the tabs 42 and anchored into the natural hair 14.

After the base 22 has been properly secured to the natural hair 14, the arrangement 26 of the hair 24 on the wig 10 will be properly positioned to form the central portion 18 of the finished hairdo or coilfure 12. When the wig 10 is properly positioned, the natural hair 14 may be arranged to form the peripheral portion 20 of the coiffure 12. The natural hair 14 may be merely arranged around the edges of the wig 16. However, normally at least a few locks 44 of the natural hair 14 are worked into and around. the hair 24 on the wig 10. After the natural hair 14 has been rearranged in this manner, it will form a peripheral portion 24) that will surround and blend into or contrast with the central portion 18 provided by the wig 10. This will cause the hair 24 on the wig 10 and the natural hair 14 on the woman to be arranged into a single coiffure 12.

It will thus be seen that a Wig has been provided which will be of great assistance in the preparation and wearing of special hairdos or coiffures, particularly coiffures that extend substantial distances above the persons head and/or are of a bulky nature. The base of the wig is especially adapted to fit onto a persons head in a close, intimate relationship therewith. In addition, the wig 10 includes an arrangement of hair 24 which projects upwardly from the base 22 and is carried by the support 38. The hair, in turn, is arranged to form the central portion 18 of the hairdo 12. Since both the supporting structure 21 and the hair 24 arranged thereon form a rigid or semi-rigid structure, they will permanently maintain their shape. As a consequence, after the wig 10 has been completed, the hair on the wig 10 will never need to be rearranged. Thus, in order to prepare a hairdo, the wig may be placed on the head and the natural hair worked up into the wig with a minimum amount of time and effort.

It should be noted that it is contemplated that the hair 24 onthe wig 10 will be of a synthetic fiber having a relatively rigid shape. Although such hair may be made to closely resemble the natural hair 14 of the wearer, it is further contemplated that the hair 14 be of an entirely different texture and/or color so as to contrast with the natural hair and thereby produce a two-toned effect.

The wig 10 may permit a very large or bulky coiffure 12' to be prepared and worn. However, due to the very light weight nature of the support structure 21, the wig 10 will not be uncomfortably heavy or annoying to wear.

The wig 10 is particularly useful to women who do not have an adequate volume of hair to create a coifiure that is very large or bulky such as illustrated in the present embodiment or such as a so-called Marie Antoinette wherein the coitfure extends a considerable distance above the wornanshead. However, the wig 19 is also useful to women who do have a large volume of hair 14 as it will permit the expert preparation of the coiffure 12 with a minimum time and effort. In the event the wig 10 is to be Worn by a Woman having a large volume of natural hair 14, it has been found desirable to provide an opening 45 in the support 38. This will permit any surplus hair to be stuffed inside of the support 38 and thereby not detract from the overall coifture 12. It is also contemplated that the present Wig may be employed in combination with a conventional hairpiece or wig worn by the woman.

While only a single embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed and described herein, it will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications may be made Without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing disclosure and description thereof are for illustrative purposes only and do not in any Way limit the invention which is defined only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. An inset wig for use on a human head having an area covered with natural hair to form an enlarged coiffure, said wig including:

a base of a size just large enough to cover a limited portion of said area adjacent the crown of the head, said base including a mesh having a suflicient rigidity to normally retain the base in a natural shape corresponding to the covered portion of the head,

a support core secured to the base, said support core including a mesh having a sufiicient rigidity to support at least a portion of a coiffure,

the shape in plan of said base matching the shape in plan of said support core and the periphery of the base is united with the periphery of the support core to form a unitary hollow structure,

said support core being of the general configuration of an axially elongated dome with the height of the dome greater than the width of the base of the dome,

hair mounted on said support core, said hair being arranged in a configuration corresponding to the center portion of the coiffure,

means for fastening the base to the natural hair to secure the wig in position on the head, said configuration being adapted to have the natural hair positioned therearound to form the peripheral portion of the coiffure.

2. An inset wig as set forth in claim 1 in which said support core has an opening in its side to permit the natural hair of the wearer to be stuffed through the opening into the interior of the hollow structure.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 373,297 11/1887 Marshall 132-54 X 431,892 7/1890 Hobbs 132-53 541,125 6/1895 Simonson 132-53 2,053,908 9/1936 Jacoby 132-53 2,661,749 12/1953 Corsillo 132-54 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,130 1893 Great Britain. 4,747 1881 Great Britain. 16,500 1904 Great Britain. 27,670 1907 Great Britain.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner. R. L. FRINKS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN INSET WIG FOR USE ON A HUMAN HEAD HAVING AN AREA COVERED WITH NATURAL HAIR TO FORM AN ENLARGED COIFFURE, SAID WIG INCLUDING: A BASE OF A SIZE JUST LARGE ENOUGH TO COVER A LIMITED PORTION OF SAID AREA ADJACENT THE CROWN OF THE HEAD, SAID BASE INCLUDING A MESH HAVING A SUFFICIENT RIGIDITY TO NORMALLY RETAIN THE BASE IN A NATURAL SHAPE CORRESPONDING TO THE COVERED PORTION OF THE HEAD, A SUPPORT CORE SECURED TO THE BASE, SAID SUPPORT CORE INCLUDING A MESH HAVING A SUFFICIENT RIGIDITY TO SUPPORT AT LEAST A PORTION OF A COIFFURE, THE SHAPE IN PLAN OF SAID BASE MATCHING THE SHAPE IN PLAN OF SAID SUPPORT CORE AND THE PERIPHERY OF THE BASE IS UNITED WITH THE PERIPHERY OF THE SUPPORT CORE TO FORM A UNITARY HOLLOW STRUCTURE, SAID SUPPORT CORE BEING OF THE GENEAL CONFIGURATION OF AN AXIALLY ELONGATED DOME WITH THE HEIGHT OF THE DOME GREATER THAN THE WIDTH OF THE BASE OF THE DOME, HAIR MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT CORE, SAID HAIR BEING ARRANGED IN A CONFIGURATION CORRESPONDING TO THE CENTER PORTION OF THE COIFFURE, MEANS FOR FASTENING THE BASE TO THE NATURAL HAIR TO SECURE THE WIG IN POSITION ON THE HEAD, SAID CONFIGURATION BEING ADAPTED TO HAVE THE NATURAL HAIR POSITIONED THEREAROUND TO FORM THE PERIPHERAL PORTION OF THE COIFFURE. 